ctia

Kyocera Rise hands-on: Let those fingers fly

NEW ORLEANS--For those whose hearts go aflutter and fingers go a-flying for QWERTY keyboards, Kyocera's newest Android Ice Cream Sandwich handset (yes, you read that right -- it has ICS), the Kyocera Rise, may be up your alley.

The phone manufacturer announced the handset at CTIA 2012. Along with the slide-out keyboard, it also sports a 3.5-inch LCD touch-screen display and a 1GHz Snapdragon processor.

In the rear is a 3.2-megapixel camera with LED flash. The 3G handset is also equipped with the Swype virtual keyboard and Bluetooth 2.1.

"We did a lot of consumer … Read more

Kyocera Hydro hands-on: Don't call it rugged

NEW ORLEANS -- Kyocera isn't a stranger to making water-resistant phones. Since 2008, the manufacturer has released 16 devices, all of which can withstand a good splash or two. Today, the manufacturer announced its newest addition to the lineup: The Kyocera Hydro.

Unlike the Kyocera DuraPlus, which is aimed for an enterprise demographic, the Hydro is made to please a wider audience.

The Hydro is a sleek handset that can not only withstand being sprayed with water, but it can also be submerged in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. It's powered by a 1GHz … Read more

Verizon's HomeFusion now brings 4G LTE home, but not for cheap

NEW ORLEANS--Need a fast broadband connection but live where cable or other wired data solutions are scarce? Not to worry says Verizon, that is if you by chance dwell within its 4G LTE footprint. The new HomeFusion Broadband service latches onto nearby LTE wireless signals and funnels them down into the home. … Read more

HTC's Droid Incredible 4G LTE has its own ICS flavor (hands-on)

NEW ORLEANS--Ladies and gentlemen, behold the HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE, the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich smartphone rumored to step into the light at CTIA 2012. Well, here it is.

Calling it a variant of the HTC One X or One S would be a simple way to describe the Incredible 4G LTE, but not the most accurate. It really does retain a lot of the Droid Incredible character in look and feel, down to the contoured back (not quite as topographical as in previous versions) and the bright red accents that signal out the Incredible's design … Read more

Remember T-Mobile's Bobsled? It has 1 million users now

T-Mobile USA's Bobsled, an Internet-based calling and messaging service, has become the little engine that could.

In a little more than a year, Bobsled has exceeded 1 million users. That's an impressive benchmark considering the service gets practically no marketing support and has little consumer awareness.

"The popularity and continued growth of the Bobsled service is testament to consumers' desire for simple ways to stay connected with friends and family," said Brad Duea, senior vice president of T-Mobile.

Bobsled was one of the side projects T-Mobile launched last year in the middle of its planned takeover by AT&T. The service was a bit counter-intuitive for those who follow the industry. Because Bobsled runs off the Internet, it could circumvent traditional voice minutes and text messages, something T-Mobile depends on for much of its revenue. That means any data plan or Wi-Fi connection would suffice. … Read more

T-Mobile: iPhone network compatibility coming this year

NEW ORLEANS--T-Mobile's network will be compatible with the iPhone later this year -- even if it isn't selling it, the company said today.

The wireless carrier added that it had tapped Ericsson and Nokia-Siemens for its $4 billion 4G LTE deployment.

The moves will address the two biggest gaps at T-Mobile: the lack of the iPhone and a more advanced 4G LTE network. Bogged down by its failed merger attempt with AT&T last year, the company has more recently shifted gears in hopes of mounting a comeback in the wireless market. … Read more

New phones and services herald start of CTIA

On a sultry New Orleans afternoon today, AT&T took over a century-old Garden District mansion to open the 2012 CTIA. Yes, the annual wireless confab doesn't formally open until tomorrow morning, but the news already is coming fast and furious. And though I don't arrive in the Big Easy until tomorrow either, a big CNET team is on the ground by the Mississippi. Here are the highlights of what they saw today. … Read more

Wireless charging to get a boost from Samsung, Qualcomm

Wireless charging isn't new, but the technology soon will get a new push from large industry players like Samsung and Qualcomm.

At CTIA in New Orleans today, the two companies announced the formation of the Alliance for Wireless Power (AWP). The organization will "promote global standardization of a wireless power transfer technology" by fostering an industry dialogue and developing a product testing, certification, and regulatory compliance processes.

Qualcomm first delved into wireless power three years ago when it announced the WiPower wireless charging system and Samsung said last week that it may deliver a wireless charging accessory … Read more

Kyocera unveils its new audio-boosting technology

NEW ORLEANS--In addition to the many niche devices Kyocera has under its belt, like its handful of rugged phones for enterprise workers, the phone manufacturer announced tonight its hard-tissue conduction audio technology.

Considered a "revolution" in voice clarity by Kyocera representatives, the company plans to roll out new devices equipped with a ceramic transducer that can transmit sound through the cartilage in your ear, as well as other localized hard tissue.

"When you hold a device to your ear or head, the sound bypasses the eardrum and puts those vibrations into your inner ear," said John … Read more